Regulating apparatus



Patented Feb. 12,1929. 1,701,676

UNITED STATES PATEN OFFICE.

GEORGE E. EULSE, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB TO THE SAFETY CAB HEATING & LIGHTDTG COMPANY, A CORPORATION OI NEW JERSEY.

BEGULATING APPARATUS.

Application filed January 20, 1925,8eria1 No. 8,546. Renewed July 20, 1827.

This invention relates to regulating appawinding 11 in which is serially disposed a 55 ratus and more particularly to regulating resistance element 12, the resistance element apparatus for electrical systems of distribuin this instance taking the form of a. carbon tion. pile, the resistance of which varies inversely 6 One of the objects of the invention is to with the pressure thereon. The external cirprovide apparatus of the above nature which cuit of the generator leads through a main 60 is highly efiicient and dependable. in opera- 13 to a storage battery 14 and lam s or other tion. Another object is to provide such appaw translating devices 15, the circuit the lamps rat-us capable of operating with a high debeing controlled as by ahand switch 16. The

me of accuracy and whose accuracy is unexternal circuit of the generator is com leted affected by varying conditions of use. Anto the remaining pole thereof throug li the 5 other object is to provide apparatus of the main 17 having therein an automatic switch above nature wherein certain adjustments are 17 of a well-known type and a series orcurtaken care of in the most convenient and rent regulating coil 18. l. practical manner. Another object is to pro- A voltage regulating coil 19 is connected vide apparatus of the above nature adapted across the generator 10 by leads 20 and 21 as 70 to operate dependably without attention for shown. and acts through a core 22 upon a long periods of time. Another object of this lever 23 pivoted at 24. The magnetic field invention is to provide an apparatus of the of the coil 19 pulls upwardly upon the core 20 above-mentioned nature capable of main- 22 tending to swing the lever 23 in a clock taiuing a predetermined standard of regula- ,Wise direction about its pivot 24. The series 7 tion even though various mechanical factors coil 18 acts through, a core 25 upon a lever may vary in a way that would tend to unde- 26 pivoted at 27. The magnetic field of the sirably affect the intended standardof regucoil 18 pulls upwardly upon the core 25 tendlation of the apparatus. Another object is to ing to swing the lever 26 in a clockwise direcprovide a regulat ng apparatus in which Vation about its pivot 27. The levers 23 and 26 80 riability of the action of a spring, due to meare respectively provided with lugs 28 and chanical fatigue and the like, may be prevent- 29 which. upon the lever 26 being swung uped, in a thoroughly practical and dependable wardly, interlock and cause'the two levers 30 manner, from affecting the operation of the to swing while thus interlocked substantially 4 regulator. Other objects will be in part obas a single member. The lever 23 is provided as vious or in part pointed out hereinafter. with an arm 23" which engages the movable The invention accordingly consists in the end of a carbon pile 12. Aicounter-clockwise features of construction, combinations of ele rotation of the lever 23, through the arm 23,

ments. and arrangements of parts as will be compresses the carbon pile 12, decreasing its exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter resistance, and a clockwise rotation of the 99 described and the scope of the application of lever 23 releases the compression of the carwhich will be indicated in the following bon pile and increases its resistance. Acting claims. upon the lever 23 in opposition to the pull of In the accompanying drawing in which is the magnetic field of the voltage coil 19 is a shown one of the various possible emboditension spring 30 and acting upon the lever 26' 95 ments of this invention, in opposition to the pull of the magnetic field Figure l is a diagrammatic plan of the apof the series coil 18, is a tension spring 31. paratus and electric circuits, and Suitable dash pots 32 and 33 serve to steady Figure 2 is a sectional view of certain parts the movements of the two levers and prevent of the apparatus. the section being taken hunting of the regulator. iou

along the line 22 of Fig. 1. Considering now the action of the appara- Siinilar reference characters refer to simtus thus far described, assume first that the ilar parts in both views of the drawing. generator 10 is stationary; under such condi- Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawing tions the'switch 17 B is. 0 course, open to prein detail. there is shown a generator 10 which vent back discharge of the battery. The voltmay be driven. for exan'iple, at a varying rate age coil 19 and the series coil 18 are ineffective of speed from the axle of a railroad. car. and the spring 30 is unopposed, swinging the This generator is provided with a shunt field lever 23 in a counter-clockwise direction to exert a maximum of pressure upon the carbon pile 12; the spring 31 is also unopposed and swings the lever 27 in a counter-clockwise direction until the core comes against its stop. If now the generator 10 is started its voltage starts to build up rapidly, due to the high compression of and consequent low resistance of the carbon pile 12 in its field.

springs are employed the The regulation at the start therefore is such as to permit the generator. to build up voltage rapidly as the speed increases, so that it may attain a. charging output as soon as practicable, and thus increase the total output.

As soon as the generator voltage builds up to the proper magnitude, the switch 17 closes and charging of the battery 14 commences,

current flowing through the series regulatingv coil 18. The generator, as its speed increases. rapidly builds up towards its condition of maximum proper output. From this point and beyond the regulation is such as to apply the proper corrective effect upon any tendency of excess of a function of the output of the generator. It may be here noted that the term Ffunction is used to denote a characteristic of the current, such as its voltage or size. When the battery approaches full charge, the magnets or coils are so chosen as to permit the lever 26 to swing out of interlocking relation with the lever 23, and thereafter the magnet 19 ceases'its regulating action through this mechanical connection. The precise time at which the levers disengage, and the relative strengths of the magnets are so chosen as to give the most desirable form of charging curves to meet the various conditions of use. It may herebe noted that the term magnet is used in a broad sense to cover constructions either of the fixed or movable core types.

The springs 30 and 31 constantly act upon the respective levers 23 and 26 against the action of the coils 19 and 18, and it is highly desirable that the pull of these springs be always maintained substantially constant and uniform in order that de endably accurate regulation be assured. ertain disadvantages are attendant upon the use of springs in that the tension thereof and consequently the force exerted thereby is apt to vary in use,

the spring being afiected by constant pull, by changing temperatures and by other element-s incident to service. These disadvantages of the spring are overcome by the substitution therefor of gravity actuated means, such as a suspended weight. The use of a weight, however, has other distinct disadvantages which are not met with when springs are employed. \Vhen springs are employed the moving parts may be mechanically balanced and the operation of the regulator is not. affectedby the spring is compensated for by its automaticaljars incident to service. f .Moreover, "when dash pots 32 and 33 may be of lighter construct-ion than when weights are employed and when consequently anced regulator is the moving parts are not balanced. A balprotected against lui'nting by the use of small air dash pots which require no attention and are uniform in action under all conditions. Another point is that the characteristic of the change in pull with a change in the position of the core in a coil is more easily balanced by the pull of a spring than it is by a constant force of gravity. In addition, when springs are employed and the parts are balanced, the design may be such that there is practically no load on the pivots of the levers 23 and 26 when the regulator is operating.

Referring new again to the drawing, the levers 23 and 26 are substantially balanced upon the pivot 24 and 27 by means of counter balances 23 and 26 properly positioned thereon. Considering first the lever 23, the tension spring 30 is at its nected thereto at 34;. Connected to the upper end of the spring at 35 is a flexible cable 36 which passes over a wheel or pulley 37 and has suspended therefrom a weight 38. lVhen the weight 38 is free it pulls upwardly upon the spring 30, thus determining the tension of the spring and hence the force exerted thereby upon the lever 23. When the weight 38 is locked or anchored in position, the upper end of the spring is fixed and the tension of the spring remains at this value determined by the weight 38.

The weight 38 when it moves slides along the face of the part 39 of a fixed T-shaped core 40. This core 40 is provided with a voltage coil 41 connected across the terminals of the generator as shown. This magnet operates as a. lock for the weight 38, it being so designed that when the coil 41 is excited the weight is drawn against the surface of the part 39 and prevented from moving in either direction.

When the generator 10 stationary, there is no voltage across its terminals and no current flows through the coil 41. The weight 38 is thus freely suspended and is free to stretch the spring 30 to the roper tension determined by the magnitu e of the weight. Under these conditions, of course, the coil 19 is carrying no current and the core 22 is in its position of maximum downward movement.

lower end con- As soon as the generator 10 is started and the ly being ad'usted and stretched to the tension which it is desired be uniformly maintained. This construction thus combines the the use of a spring, as above, and the reliaof pull attainable by advantages attained by have been pointed out bility and uniformity the use of a weight.

Preferably, the weight 38 is provided with a downward extension 42 rovided with a slot 43 through which pro ects a threaded bolt 44. This bolt may be anchored in a suitable fixed support 45. and is provided with a thumb nut may be left loose, permitting free movement of the weight 38 to automatically adjust itself upon stopping of the generator, as above described; in such capacity the bolt 44 engaging the slot 43 serves as .a guide for the up or down movement of the weight. On the other hand, if desired the coil 41 may be cut out by means of a hand switch 47, and the automatic lock by the magnet not be employed. Then the thumb screw 46 may be tightened up against the part 42, and the Weight 38 locked thereby in the position which it assumes when the generator 10 is stationary. As often as desired, upon stopping of the generator, the thumb screw may loosened and the weight 38 permitted to adjust itself to adjust the tension of the spring.

The spring 31 connected at its lower end at 48 with the lever 26 has connected at its upper end 49 a mechanism substantially identical with that just described in connection with the s ring 30, and its action will be understood rom the above. A flexible cable 50 passes over a wheel or pulley 51 and has suspended therefrom a weight 52. A magnet coil 53 and core 54 are provided similar to the coil 41 and core 40, and operating in a -matter hereinbefore set forth similar manner. The weight 52 is provided with a downward extension 55 having a slotted connection 56 with a bolt 57 which is anchored in a part 58 and provided with a thumb screw 59. The weights 38 and 52 are preferably provided respectively with a plurality of removable and replaceable parts 38 and 52 in order that the pull of the weights may be varied and the tension of the springs 30 and 31 correspondingly adjusted.

From the above it will be seen that there is herein provided an apparatus which embodies thefeatures of this invention and achieves the objects thereof including many advantages of the greatest practical importance.

As many possible embodiments may be made'of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a source of current, a variable resistance element adapted to control a output from said source,

function of the electro-magnetic 46. The thumb nut 46 vary the means, means responsive to the pull of said electro-magnetic means adapted to vary the resistance of said element, a spring acting upon sald last means in opposition to said electro-magnetic means, and gravity actuated means determining the force exerted by said spring. I

2'. n regulating apparatus, in combination, a source of current, a variable resistance element adapted to control a function of the output from said source, electro-magnetic means, means responsive to the pull of said electro-magnetic means adapted to vary the resistance of said element, a spring acting upon said last means in opposition to said electro-magnetic means, and automatic means adapted to adjust the tension of said spring to a constant predetermined value each time the output of said source is reduced to zero.

3. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a source of current, a variable resistance element adapted to control a function of the output from said source, electro-ma etic means, means responsive to the pull 0 said electro-magnetic means adapted to vary the resistance of said element, a spring acting upon said last means in opposition to said electro-magnetic means, means adapted to adjust the tension of said sprin 4. In regulating apparatus, in combinaton, a variably driven generator, a, variable resistance element adapted to control a function of the output of said generator, electromagnetic means, means responsive to the all of said electro-magnetic means adapte to resistance of said element, means acting upon said last means in opposition to the pull of said electro-magnetic means, and means ada ted to adjust said last means at each stopping of said generator.

5. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a source of current, a variable resistance element adapted to control a-function of the output from said source, electro-magnetic means, means responsive to the pull of said electro-magnetic means adapted to vary the resistance of said element, a spring acting upon said last means in opposition to said electro-magnetic means, for determining and means for locking said weight in the position assumed therebv when said electromagnetic means is ine ective.

6. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a source of current, a variable resistance element adapted to control a function of the output from said source, electro-magnctic means, means responsive to the pull of said electro-magnetic means adapted to vary the resistance of said element, a spring acting u on said last means in opposition to the pull 0? said, electro-magnetic means, a suspende weight for determining the tension of said a suspended weight the tension of said spring,

. tro-magnet adapted when said spring, and means adapted when said generator is running to lock said weight in the position assumed thereby when said electromagnetic means is ineffective.

7. In regulating apparatus, in c'ombination, a shunt Wound generator, a translation circuit therefor, a variable resistance connected with the field of said generator, an electro-magnet having a field proportional to a function-of the output of said generator, a member movable in response to variations in the field of said magnet, a connection between said member and said variable resistance adapted upon the field of said magnet increasing in strength to increase the eifect of said variable resistance, a spring acting upon said member in opposition to the effect thereon of said magnet, and gravity actuated means connected with said spring for determining the magnitude of the force exerted thereby.

8. In regulating apparatus, in combination a shunt Wound generator, a translation circuit therefor, a variable resistance connected with the field of said generator, an electromagnet having a field proportional to a func: tion of the output ofsaid generator, a member movable in response to variations in the field of said magnet, a connection between said member and said variable resistance adapted upon the field of said magnet increasing in strength to increase the effect of said variable resistance, a spring acting upon said member in opposition to the effect thereon of said magnet, gravity actuated means connected with said spring for determining the magnitude of the force exerted thereby, and means for locking said gravity actuated means in the position assumed thereby when the field of said magnet is ineffective upon said member.

9. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a shunt wound generator, a translation circuit therefor, a variable resistance connected with the field of said generator, an electromagnet having a field proportional to a func tion of the output of said generator, a member movable in response to variations in the field of said magnet, a connection between said member and said variable resistance adapted upon the field of said magnet increasing in strength to increase the effect of said variable resistance, a spring acting upon said member in opposition to the effect thereon of said magnet, gravity actuated means connected with said spring for determining the ma gni tude of the force generator is operative to lock said gravity actuated means in the position assumed thereby when said generator is inoperative.

10. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a generator, and regulating means adapted to control a function of the. output of said generator, said means including a substantial ly balanced lever, a spring acting upon said exerted thereby, and an eleclever, and gravityeactuated means for regu-' lating the tension of said spring.

11. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a generator, and a regulator adapted to control a function of the output of said generator, said regulator including a substantially balanced lever, a tension spring connected at one end to said lever, a weight suspended from the other end of said spring, and means for locking said weight in the position assumed thereby when said regulator is inoperative.

12 In regulating apparatus, in combination, a generator, and a regulator adapted to control a function of the output of said generator, said regulator including a substantially balanced lever, an electro-magnet acting thereon,-means acting upon said lever in opposition to said magnet, and gravity actuated means for determining the magnitude of the force exerted by said last means.

13. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a generator, and a regulator adapted to control a function of the output of said generator, said regulator including a substantially balanced lever, an electro-magnet acting thereon, a tension spring connected at one end to said lever and acting thereon in opposition to said magnet, a weight suspended from the other end of said spring, and means for locking said last end of said spring in the position to which it is moved by said weight when tive.

14:. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a generator, and a regulator adapted to control a function of the output of said generator, said regulator including a substantially balanced lever, an electro-magnet acting thereon, a tension spring connected at one end to said opposition to said magnet, a weight suspended from the other end of said spring, and means adapted when said regulator is operative to lock said last end of said spring in the position to which it is moved by said weight when said regulator is inoperative.

15. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a shunt wound generator, a carbon pile serially connected with the field of said generator, an electro-magnet having a field pro' portional to a function of the output of said generator, a lever movable in response to variations in the field of said magnet, a connection between said lever and said carbon pile adapted upon said magnet increasing in strength to increase the resistance of said carbonepile, a spring acting upon said lever in opposition to said magnet, and a weight adapted to act upon said lever through said spring to determine the force exerted by the latter.

16. In regulating apparatus, in combina tion, a shunt wound generator, a carbon pile serially connected with the field of said gensaid regulator is inoperalever and acting thereon in erator,an electro-magnet havinga field proportional to a function of the output of said generator, a lever movable in response to variations in the field of said magnet, a connection between said lever and said carbon ile adapted upon said magnet increasing in strength to increase the resistance of said carbon pile, a tension spring connected at one end to said lever and acting thereon in opposition to said magnet, a weight suspended from the other end of said spring, and means adapted when said regulator is operative to lock said last end of said spring in the position to which it is moved by said weight when said regulator is inoperative.

17 In regulating apparatus, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed from a car axle, and regulating means adapted to control a function of the output of said generator, said regulating means including a magnet, a member adapted to be moved thereby, retracting means acting upon said member, and automatic means a apted to adjust said retracting means to maintain the force exerted thereby substantially constant.

18. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a generator driven from a car axle, and

regulating means adapted to control a function of the output of said generator, said means including a magnet, a member adapted to be moved thereby, retracting means acting upon said member, and means adapted at each stopping of said generator to adjust said retracting means to maintain the force exerted thereby substantially constant;

19. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a variable speed generator, a circuit adapted to be supplied thereby, an automatic switch adapted to connect said circuit to the generator upon the latter attaining apredetermined voltage and to disconnect said circuit from the generator upon the voltage of the latter falling to a predetermined value, regulating means for controlling a function of the output of said generator, said regulating means including electromagnetic means and retracting means against which said -electromagnet1c means acts, means adapted when eifective to adjust said retracting means to maintain the force exerted thereby sub stantially constant, and means for permitting said last-mentioned means to become effective only at times subsequent to the opening of said main switch.

20. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a variable speed generator, a circuit adapted to be supplied thereby, an automatic switch adapted to connect said circuit to the generator upon the latter attaining a predetermined voltage and to disconnect said circuit from the generator upon the voltage of the latter falling to a predetermined value,

regulating means for controllinga function of the output of said generator, said regulab ing means including electromagnetic means and retracting means against which said electromagnetic means acts, means adapted when efiective to adjust said retracting means to maintain the force exerted thereby substantially constant, and electromagnetic means connected on the generator side of said automatic switch for controlling said adjusting means.

21. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a generator, a circuit adapted to be supplied t ereby, a switch for connecting the generator to said circuit, regulating means for controlling a function of the ener supplied by said generator to said circuit, said regulating means including a coil and retracting means again =t which said coil acts, and means controlledsfrom the generator side of said switch for adjusting said retracting means to maintain the force exerted thereby substantially constant.

22. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a generator; regulating means for controlling a function of the output of said generator, said means including electromagnetic means and a spring against which said electromagnetic means acts; means adapted to adjust said spring to maintain the orce exerted thereby substantially constant; and means under the control of said generator for controlling said adjusting means.

23.. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a source of current, re lating means for controlling a function of diia energy flowing from said source, said regulating means including a coil and retracting means against which said coil acts, and means operative, when said regulating means is ineflective, to adjust said retracting means to maintain the force exerted thereby substantially constant.

24. In regulatingapparatus, in combination, a generator; regulating means for controlling a function of the output of said generator, said means including electromag-- netic means and a spring against which said electromagnetic means acts; and means adapted to adjust said spring to maintain the force exerted thereby substantially constant but operative only when the voltage of the generator is below a predetermined value.

25. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a generator; regulating means for controlling a function of the output of said generator, said means including electromagnetic means and a spring against which said electromagnetic means acts; and means operative only when the output of the generator is below a predetermined value to adjust said spring to maintain the force exerted thereby substantially constant.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this fifteenth day of January, 1925.

GEORGE HULSE. 

